Joe Kelly became a free agent after winning the 2024 World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but has yet to pitch this season as he continues to recover from the same right shoulder injury that prevented him from throwing in the postseason last year.
Kelly made it clear he wants to pitch for the Dodgers this season and has indicated he would retire if that opportunity never comes to fruition.
As he works his way back to the mound, the 37-year-old recently faced batters at Cal Poly Pomona and said his fastball topped out at 95 mph, via the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast:
“Went down and threw to a couple kids who coached me, a couple hitters, threw to Josh, a kid from Corona High. Stuff wasn’t as sharp as I wanted it to be, but it was my first time wearing cleats in nine months maybe. I was 94 (mph), had a 95, but I think I need to face a hitters a few more times.”
Kelly said he wants to have a few more throwing sessions before officially pitching in front of the Dodgers:
“That’s the ultimate, plan, yeah.”
Despite the Dodgers nearing the stretch run of their schedule, Kelly believes he has plenty of time to get ready for games and is particularly encouraged by his breaking balls:
“Not really. Dude, time is on the side. My last bullpen [Saturday] was great. I finally got my breaking balls back. They’re spinning good, spinning hard, two different shapes. So that’s fun. That was kind of like the last thing besides ultimate command. Velocity ticks up every time. That’s going to come. But the shapes and spin of my pitches were not where I wanted them to be, but now they are. It’s just the reps. The more times I can throw the more my shoulder and body will know what to do.”
Kelly made 35 appearances last season, posting a 4.78 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 35 strikeouts in 32 innings. He spent some time on the 15-day injured list late in the year due to right shoulder inflammation, then returned briefly to make five appearances during the final month.
In June, Kelly said he was encouraged by his rehab process and no longer feeling any pain while throwing.
Joe Kelly could help Dodgers bullpen
Even after adding Brock Stewart at the trade deadline, the Dodgers could take a flier on Kelly as their bullpen is still without several key pitchers.
They would need to do so before Sept. 1, however, if they wished for Kelly to also be eligible for the postseason.
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